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Stony Creek Branford, CT - Winter Days 2011

02-24-11

Scott Silverstone www.CTProperty.com Connecticut Luxury & Waterfront Realty

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Office: (203) 815-9118

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Stony Creek Branford CT Stony Creek in Branford, CT is known by most to be a vibrant beach and boating community... but most frequent this area in the Spring and Summer and Fall (or at least when the ground isn't covered in the snow).

Personally, I love the beach during the Winter. Areas on the Connecticut Shoreline, like Stony Creek, are currently quiet, Less crowded and very peaceful. The sunsets look amazing with the light reflecting off the water, snow and ice. Stony Creek, with so much heart and culture come Springtime, is even more peaceful, relaxing and beautiful when covered in fluffy snow.

Stony Creek Branford CT

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Stony Creek CT - Thimble Islands Cruise - Saying Goodbye To Summer

09-21-09

Donna Bigda REALTOR® Branford Connecticut Homes & Condos

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Office: (203) 488-1641 x214

Mobile: (203) 645-7467

Stony Creek CT - Thimble Islands Cruise - Saying Goodbye to Summer

Located just offshore the Branford waterfront community ot Stony Creek CT are the beautiful Thimble Islands.

A few weeks ago fellow Active Rain member Andrea Swiedler and I met for the first time and took a 45-minute tour aboard The Sea Mist for a Thimble Islands cruise.

We took so many photos that day of the cottages and estates in addition to the breathtaking views that surround the Thimble Islands.

Since today is the last day of summer, these photos will paint a vision of memories from our journey to Stony Creek CT and our Thimble Islands Cruise.

Stony Creek CT - Thimble Islands Cruise

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Contact Donna Bigda, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, Realtor®, RE/MAX Alliance Licensed Realtor® in the State of Connecticut at 203-488-1641, ext. 214 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven, New Haven and the rest of shoreline area in New Haven County Connecticut.

If you're considering selling your Branford home, we'd be happy to provide you with a Pin-Point Price Analysis of your home which will help you determine what it might sell for in today's market.

If you're thinking of buying a home in Stony Creek CT see Branford CT real estate or sign up today to get access the hottest new listings here Branford CT homes and condos.

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Stony Creek Branford Connecticut Waterfront Homes

09-02-09

Donna Bigda REALTOR® Branford Connecticut Homes & Condos

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Office: (203) 488-1641 x214

Mobile: (203) 645-7467

Stony Creek Branford Connecticut Waterfront Homes

Driving about 10 minutes southeast of the Branford Town Center down Stony Creek Road to Thimble Island Road you will find the affluent and desirable shoreline community of Stony Creek CT.

The Stony Creek Village is full of New England charm and ambiance. Driving through the narrow streets into the village you'll pass the many styles of Stony Creek homes. The neighboring side streets along the way include a mix of storybook Capes, Colonials, Cottages, Ranches, Multi-family and Victorian style homes. Stony Creek homes can range in price from the mid to upper $200's to over $7 million.

Many homes are a short stroll to the beach, park and the village which is at the heart of Stony Creek where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, jet skiing, boating or sailing.

Residents and vacationers can shop for clothing, antiques and jewelry at the boutique shops, visit the art galleries and stop for a bite to seat at the Stony Creek Market or Creekers. The village is also home to the Stony Creek Post Office, Willoughby Wallace Library and Stony Creek Dock.

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One of the more popular attractions off the shores of Stony Creek CT are the Thimble Islands an archipelago of 100-365 islands with 25 currently being inhabited. During the summer months, people will wait in line for a fun-filled voyage on a Thimble Islands cruise of sightseeing and enchantment.

You'll find the village and all that the surrounding Stony Creek CT neighborhood has to offer as a little touch of paradise.

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Contact Donna Bigda, CDPE, e-PRO, Realtor®, RE/MAX Alliance Licensed Realtor® in the State of Connecticut at 203-488-1641, ext. 214 to list your Branford home for sale or to purchase a property in Branford, Guilford, Madison, East Haven, New Haven and the rest of shoreline area in New Haven County Connecticut.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Branford CT or would like more information about Stony Creek homes, see Branford CT waterfront real estate or sign up today to get access the hottest new listings here Branford CT waterfront homes and condos.

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Thimble Island Cruise - Thimble Islands CT

09-02-09

Donna Bigda REALTOR® Branford Connecticut Homes & Condos

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Office: (203) 488-1641 x214

Mobile: (203) 645-7467

Thimble Island Cruise - Thimble Islands CT

The Thimble Islands are a chain of 100-365 small islands that lie off the shore of the affluent community of Stony Creek in Branford Connecticut. They are made up of Stony Creek pink granite rocks, ledges and outcroppings ranging in size from small rocks to 17 acres full of local tradition and a wealth of history.

While they are said to be named for the thimbleberry which is in the family of the black raspberry and once grew wild on them, it is a plant that is rarely seen in the area now and is more notable in the northern New England area.

The Thimble Islands were first discovered by Adrian Block in 1614 who also discovered Block Island and were a favorite spot of the Mattabeseck Indians as a summer camping ground. During the 18th century in 1716 the colonists acquired land grants of the islands. Because Branford was known as a farming community, there was little value found in the islands except as a source of seaweed which was used as a fertilizer and pasture for sheep during the summer on the larger islands.

In 1846 when William Bryan of Branford built a hotel on Pot Island and then renamed it for Captain Kidd the famous pirate, he created the legend that holds to today of possible hidden treasure.

The islands and drew lobstermen and commercial fishermen to the area who found a very profitable harvest in the waters. During the 19th century oyster farming thrived and produced a great source of wealth and by 1870 the area was booming with hotels, boarding houses and the building of summer cottages on the islands and on the shore.

Between 1890 to the start of World War I the Thimble Islands flourished. A public dock was built for the accommodations of the islanders. Yachting grew tremendously and The Thimble Islands became the favorite spot to drop anchor or to enjoy a long cruise.

Many changes have come to the islands since World War I. The hotels are gone and you'll see more water boats and water skiers on the waters now and fewer sailboats and rowing races. Many of the islands have been bought and sold over the years but there are still many families who from generation to generation continue to come back to the islands year after year.

The Thimble Islands especially during the summer months is a favorite location of residents and vacationers for swimming, kayaking and boating. One of the more popular attractions are the Thimble Island Cruises aboard The Sea Mist, Volsunga IV or The Islander for a tour of the 25 inhabited islands.

Some of the more notable and largest Thimble Islands are:

Bear Island - Originally called "Goat Island" for its community of Swedish immigrant quarry workers for the goat herds they kept for milk. Formerly home to a granite quarry which shipped the high quality pink granite for the construction of the Grant's Tomb, Lincoln Memorial and for the base of the Statue of Liberty.

Davis Island- Was the "Summer White House" of President William Howard Taft.

Governor Island - It has 14 residence with one of the oldest houses that was built in 1880 and still holds the original family name Simpson.

Horse Island - Owned by Yale University and by Yale's Peabody Museum of Natural History which maintains an ecological laboratory. It is also one of the largest of the Thimble Islands at 17 acres.

Money Island - Named after the famous pirate Captain Kidd, legend has it the he buried his treasure on this 12 mile island that has an entire village of 32 houses.

Rogers Island - Sold in 2003 for $22.3 million , this 7.75 acre island has a 27-room Tudor mansion, basketball courts, tennis courts and a caretaker's residence.

West Crib Island - In 1976 it was sold for $131,500 to John Svenningsen, a party goods magnage whose widow Christine has since bought more several other Thimble Islands.

There have are many current and past well-known residents of the islands including General Tom Thumb on Cut in Two Island East, President William Taft on Davis Island, Actor Frank Converse, showman Billy Rose, Garry Trudeau, the Doonesbury cartoonist and Jane Pauley, televison journalist.

The Thimble Islands are included in the Stony Creek-Thimble Islands Hisotric District and listed in 1988 as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Written and Posted by:

Donna Bigda - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT 06405

203-488-1641, x214

Search Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, New Haven and all New Haven County Homes for Sale

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Thimble Islands Cruise - Stony Creek CT - Branford

08-22-09

Donna Bigda REALTOR® Branford Connecticut Homes & Condos

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Office: (203) 488-1641 x214

Mobile: (203) 645-7467

Thimble Islands Cruise - Stony Creek CT - Branford

Looking for a great way to spend a summer day? Then take a drive to the town dock in Stony Creek in Branford CT for a fun filled Thimble Islands Cruise and tour the 25 enchanted Thimble Islands.

Tour the islands with Captain Bob on the Volsunga IV, Captain Dave on The Islander or Captain Mike on The Sea Mist.

Sit back and relax on the 72 foot Volsunga IV with Captain Bob Milne. The Volsunga IV has the capacity to hold 48 passengers.

Tours for the Thimble Islands depart at the top of each hour. Please check here for the sightseeing schedule for 2009.

Walk-ons are welcome and reservations are accepted for 10 or more people.

Rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children 12 and under. Ony cash & checks are accepted.

For more information call 203-481-3345 or email captbob@thimbleislands.com.

Aboard The Sea Mist, a 44 foot Carmen boat your guide is Captain Mike Infantino. The Sea Mist is black and white with a pirate flag, upper deck and The Mermaid Bar.

The Sea Mist can carry 49 passengers for a Thimble Island sightseeing cruise and 34 for a private charter.

Tours depart the quarter past each hour. Check here for this year's schedule. Rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children 5 and under.

The tours for The Sea Mist are closed on Tuesdays.

For more information call 203-488-8905 or email at chartersea488@sbcglobal.net

Your host aboard The Islander is Captain Dave Kupsterer. His boat is 26 feet in length and can carry up to 25 passengers.

Captain Dave prefers a smaller boat as it can reach areas of the Thimble Islands that cannot be accessed by larger boats.

Rates for walk on fares are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children 12 and under.

Crusies run on weekends only from Memorial Day through mid-June.

From mid-June through Labor Day cruises run at 20 minutes before the hour every hour from 10:40 am to 3:40 pm.

For more information, Captian Dave can be reached at 352-978-1502 or on his info line at 203-397-3921.

Thimble Islands cruises are available for private charters, school and camp field trips and bus tours. Please the check the website for each boat to book your tours.

In the event of inclement weather, please call ahead to make sure the tours have not been cancelled.

Thimble Island Cruise - Stony Creek CT (Branford)